Panel mounted electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical connector mountable at an opening in a panel comprises a dielectric housing with terminals received therein, a shield enclosing the housing, a cable terminated to the terminals, and an insulative casing molded to engage with a rear end portion of the housing and a front end of the cable. A first latch is formed on each side wall of the shield for engaging with a corresponding second latch formed by the panel on each side edge of the opening. A top wall of the shield is accommodated in an upper slot defined between the housing and the casing and is spaced from an upper surface of the housing. A lower slot is also defined between the casing and the housing for receiving a support plate provided by the panel on a bottom edge of the opening thereby securely retaining the connector in position relative to the panel. The casing is made from resilient material and has a push portion at a top, front end thereof. The push portion is depressed against the top wall of the shield to unlatch the first latches of the shield from the second latches of the panel.

I claim:  
     
       1. An electrical connector mounted at an opening in a computer panel for mating with a complementary connector through the opening, comprising: 
       a dielectric housing defining a plurality of passageways therein;  
       a plurality of terminals received in the passageways;  
       a shield comprising a top wall and a pair of opposite side walls downwardly extending from the top wall for enclosing the housing, each side wall having a first latch for engaging with a second latch on each side edge of the opening in the computer panel;  
       a cable having electrical conductors terminated to the terminals; and  
       an insulative casing enclosing the housing and the cable, the casing having an upper wall with a pair of opposite slots defined in a front edge thereof, a push portion being defined between the slots for being depressed against the top wall of the shield to unlatch the first latches of the shield from the second latches of the panel;  
       wherein each side wall of the shield defines a cutout, and the first latch extends into the cutout;  
       wherein each first latch of the shield has a forwardly and upwardly projecting hook, and the corresponding second latch of the computer panel has a downwardly projecting hook to engage with the forwardly and upwardly projecting hook of the corresponding first latch;  
       wherein the push portion of the casing has a lower surface tapering toward a free end thereof;  
       wherein the casing is molded to engage with a rear end portion of the housing to leave an upper slot, a lower slot and a pair of opposite side slots between the casing and a front end portion of the housing;  
       wherein the side walls of the shield are interferentially received in the side slots, and the top wall of the shield is received in the upper slot and spaced from an upper surface of the housing;  
       wherein the lower slot is adapted for receiving a support plate extending from a bottom edge of the opening in the panel;  
       wherein the housing comprises a pair of protrusions on opposite sides proximate a front end thereof for facilitating retention of the side walls of the shield in the side slots.